Ye Jingkuan harbored this idea, but had no one around him to discuss it with. His father was far away in the northwest. If he sent a letter, whether it would even arrive was uncertain, and even if it did, the round trip would take at least three months—by then it would be too late. After much deliberation, he decided to first pay a visit to Cen Biliang.
Cen Biliang was known to show no favoritism even to relatives, but he had one excellent quality—he was an absolutely loyal subject. Any matter beneficial to the nation, he would always pursue. Moreover, ever since Cen Biliang had helped Prince Zhennan’s household in the matter concerning Chen Xiang, the relationship between Prince Zhennan’s household and Cen Biliang had in fact grown much closer.
Hearing Ye Jingkuan say he agreed with his own idea of deploying troops northward, Cen Biliang was first startled, then his face showed a smile. He waved his hand to dismiss the attendants before asking, “Why are you suddenly bringing this up with me?”
He had thought that no matter what, the Grand Prince would not involve himself in this matter. After all, Chief Minister Chang was now the Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor, and Zhou Weizhao had been on good terms with Chief Minister Chang even before. Now with this additional relationship, he certainly wouldn’t refuse to give Chief Minister Chang face. Unexpectedly, Ye Jingkuan had come calling, and without any superfluous words, openly stated his purpose of coming. This both greatly increased Cen’s favorable impression and made him feel highly valued—he was quite pleased.
Ye Jingkuan spoke truthfully, not mentioning Old Master Song’s suggestion to Zhou Weizhao or anything else, shaking his head. “This isn’t His Highness the Grand Prince’s idea—it’s mine.”
Cen Biliang didn’t understand at first, looking at him suspiciously, not comprehending what he meant. Everyone knew that Ye Jingkuan was both a relative and trusted confidant by Zhou Weizhao’s side. For him to come saying he didn’t represent Zhou Weizhao was truly extraordinary.
Ye Jingkuan first explained to Cen Biliang the reasoning of Chief Minister Chang and his faction. Seeing Cen Biliang frown, he said, “I know Your Excellency the Minister is wise, but let’s be honest—the national treasury truly cannot bear such massive expenditures. You’ve witnessed with your own eyes how many matters have occurred these past few years. The Ministry of War is under your management—how difficult the treasury situation is, surely you have experienced it firsthand?”
This was naturally something he had experienced. The Armory Bureau’s weapons were far fewer than before, and this was during wartime. He sighed deeply, his beard quivering, then suddenly glared at him. “You say I’m right, yet why do you turn around and speak on behalf of Chief Minister Chang?”
Ye Jingkuan had always been good-tempered and skilled at conversation. Seeing Minister Cen glare at him, he wasn’t afraid, smiling bitterly and shaking his head. “How could this be speaking on behalf of Chief Minister Chang? I’m telling you why, when you propose this, hardly anyone in the court echoes it. At the root of it all, isn’t it because they know the court can’t produce the silver now? Since we can’t produce the silver, naturally speaking carries no confidence.”
Cen Biliang knew Ye Jingkuan was absolutely right. He lowered his head and said nothing for a long while. The wind blew in many peach blossom petals. He watched as they scattered on the ground, spreading a carpet of pink flower rain along the dappled light on the floor, his heart seemingly becoming like these falling blossoms. “But if we don’t do this, the northwest is in danger. With the northwest in such peril, what can we in the capital do? His Majesty has already declared that anyone who advises surrender will be executed without mercy, and anyone who suggests relocating the capital southward will be immediately beheaded. But if that day truly comes when the northwest truly cannot be held, will His Majesty really just stay in the capital waiting to die? The northwest cannot be lost…”
Even if Cui Shaoting was hailed as the War God, he was still ultimately human, not divine. And what was invading now wasn’t just the Tatars—there was also the internal rebellion of Prince Gong and Han Zhengqing. How could he possibly withstand it all? Right now the best solution was to deploy troops as reinforcement.
Ye Jingkuan nodded repeatedly. “This junior understands, I understand.” After speaking, he looked at Minister Cen again. “This junior shares your view. To speak frankly, my father is still in the northwest. As his son, how could I not hope for my father’s safety? When I mentioned silver to you just now, I truly wasn’t trying to dissuade you from your plans. I wanted to tell you that if we had silver, the opposing voices in the court would definitely diminish considerably. Even His Majesty himself knows that deploying troops northward as reinforcement has only benefits and no drawbacks. When that time comes, everything will be resolved smoothly.”
Minister Cen hadn’t thought in this direction. He was the Minister of War, not the Minister of Revenue. Whether there was silver or not, he hadn’t really considered it. Moreover, the Ministry of Revenue constantly cried poverty—in his impression, they never said they had money. He truly felt the Ministry of Revenue was being evasive.
Now hearing Ye Jingkuan put it this way, he was first stunned, then after careful consideration, asked Ye Jingkuan, “But where would the silver come from?”
Wasn’t Ye Jingkuan here precisely because he didn’t know and wanted to ask? He likewise kicked the ball back to him. “This junior just has this notion. The salt merchants certainly have money, and there have been precedents of salt merchants donating funds before. But this bunch of skinflints, to get them to open their purses…”
Cen Biliang’s eyes lit up immediately. Ye Jingkuan was right. At its core, what the court worried about now was insufficient silver. And since there wasn’t enough silver, naturally they needed to find ways to raise funds. As for where to raise the silver—wasn’t it obvious now? Those people at the Yangzhou Weaving Bureau and that batch of salt merchants in Jiangnan were literally dripping with wealth. As long as they could be persuaded…
“No!” He shook his hand definitively, feeling he had found the right direction and was in an excellent mood. “They may not be impossible to persuade. This matter… has potential!”
After dismissing Ye Jingkuan, that very night he summoned his advisors and retainers to discuss. He was the Minister of War—if this matter succeeded, the historical records would include his name. Moreover, even if not for this fame, he had to think of the common people of the northwest and the national fortune of Great Zhou.
Ye Jingkuan returned home and first discussed this matter with Princess Rongcheng. A bit later he entered the palace to pay his respects to Emperor Jianzhang, and finding an opportunity, sought out Zhou Weizhao to tell him about his visit to Cen Biliang.
“Both Jingchuan and Song Jue were right to be concerned. The salt merchants certainly have money, but to put it bluntly, they’re not people who can be easily offended either. For this matter to succeed, someone still needs to stand up and take the lead. Minister Cen has always supported deploying troops northward—there’s no one more suitable than him. Having him propose it is naturally best. Your Highness need not involve yourself further.”
He continued, “After all, at this time everything for you must be approached with utmost care. This is ultimately a matter that will offend people…”
Zhou Weizhao hadn’t expected Ye Jingkuan to move so quickly. He was somewhat surprised by his speed. Hearing him speak thus, after brief contemplation he agreed, then added, “As long as he proposes it, given his temperament he’ll naturally insist on accomplishing this matter. But then who will go to Yangzhou? Who goes becomes another problem. Someone without sufficient authority will accomplish nothing and easily suffer losses. Someone with sufficient authority may not necessarily be willing to pursue this so ruthlessly.”